Residency Curriculum
Program Overview
The Texas DSHS Preventive Medicine Residency is a two-year ACGME-accredited training program that begins at the PGY-2 level. Residents complete academic training in public health and applied practice experiences that prepare them for board certification in Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
Year 1 (PM-1): Public Health Foundations
Most residents complete the majority of their Master of Public Health (MPH) coursework during the first year. Residents earn an MPH from UT Health - School of Public Health.
- Core content includes biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health services administration, risk communication, clinical preventive services, and social and behavioral determinants of health.
- Residents who already hold an MPH complete any remaining required coursework and will begin rotations and research projects.
Year 2 (PM-2): Applied Public Health Practice
The second year consists of 12 months of supervised public health rotations. Residents complete approximately two months in each of the following core domains.
• Biostatistics & Epidemiology
• Clinical Preventive Medicine
• Environmental & Occupational Health
• Health Systems Management & Administration
• Population Health
Rotation Sites
Examples include:
| Local FQHCs | Texas Center for Infectious Disease |
| Austin Public Health, DSHS Public Health Regions | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| DSHS Community Health Improvement Division | UT Tyler Occupational Medicine |
| DSHS Environmental Surveillance and Toxicology Branch | HHSC Medicaid |
| DSHS Healthcare Safety Unit | and other approved elective experiences |
Additional Learning Activities
Throughout both years, residents participate in following:
- Quality Improvement Curriculum and Project(s)
- Health Policy Book Club
- Journal Club
- DSHS Grand Rounds
- Infectious Disease and Chronic Disease Lecture Series
- Professional Development Opportunities
- When opportunities arise, residents also participate in outbreak investigations, preparedness activities, community health assessments, and public health response efforts.
- Residents attend at least one state, regional, or national professional meeting during training.